Processing apparatus



Aug. 17, 1943. L. A. McCOMB PROCESS S ING APPARATUS Filed July 26, 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. 5 57 6077227, U

Aug. 17, 1943. L. A. McCOMB PRQCESSING APPARATUS Filed July 26, 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. f] C0022); L0.

Aug. 17, 1943. 1 A. MCCOMB 2,327,282

PROCESSING APPARATUS Filed July 26, 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 1 III II mum: 70

INVENTOR.

L20 gfim cbmb, BY

Patented Aug. 17, 1943 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Brinck Engineering Company,

Inc.,

Angeles, (la-iii. a corporation of California Application July 26, 1941, Serial No. 404,182

8Claims.

This invention is a processing apparatus having a cyclic control for supplying material to and discharging it from a processing chamber, the invention being particularly applicable to a coilee roasting mechanism.

It is an object of the invention to automatically stop the apparatus after a predetermined number of cyclic operations, and at the will of the operator to select the number of cyclic operations which will be completed before the apparatus stops.

It is a further object of the invention to automatically stop the apparatus in the event of either depletion of material which is being supplied to the apparatus or predetermined accumulation of material which has been processed by the apparatus.

It is a still further object of the invention to automatically stop the apparatus after a pre-' determined number of cyclic operations, or to automatically stop the apparatus (short of this predetermined number of cyclic operations) in the event of either depletion of material which is to be processed, or predetermined accumulation oi. material which has been processed.

It is a still further object of the invention to supply material to the processing chamber at the start of each cycle of operation with the processing of each batch completed during the next succeeding cycle of operation; and when automatically stopping the apparatus (either by predetermined number of cycles having been completed, or depletion of material which is being supplied to the apparatus, or accumulation of material which has been processed), to supply no new material to the processing chamber at the start of the last cycle, but continue this last cycle to completion so as to finish the processing of the preceding batch of material.

It is a still further object of the invention to selectively supply the apparatus from difierent sources, and to separately collect the processed material in accordance with the respective sources of supply; and to provide a common means for controlling cyclic operation when employing any one of the sources or supply.

It is a still further object of the invention to lock the apparatus against shifting from one source of supply to another, except when the apparatus has been stopped and is clear of material.

It is a still further object of the invention to provide improved means for cleaning the processed material of chat! and the like, without the chat! clogging the apparatus.

It is a still further object of the invention to provide a discharge for the processed material which has collected, with the discharge locked in closed position except when a suitable receptacle has been alined therewith.

It is a still further object of the invention to supply measured batches of material to th processing chamber, with said measurement in accordance with weight of the material.

Further objects of the invention will be readily understood from the following description or the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a front elevation 01 the apparatus.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation.

Figs. 3 and 4 are sections on the lines 3-3 and 4-4 respectively of Fig. 1.

Figs. 5 and 6 are vertical sections on the lines 55 and 6-6 respectively of Fig. 2.

Fig. 7 is a side elevation of the structure shown at Fig. 6.

Figs. 8 and 9 are horizontal sections on the lines 88 and 9-9 respectively of Fig. 5.

Fig. 10 is a vertical section on the line ill-40 of Fig. 9.

Figs. l1, l2 and 13 are vertical sections on the lines ll-H, l2l2 and l3l3 respectively of Fig. 8.

Fig. 14 is a diagram of the cams and switches of the automatic control. 7

Fig. 15 is a wiring diagram.

The material which is to be processed is con tained in a supply hopper, from whence it is discharged in measured batches into a processing chamber, shown in the present instance as a coflee roaster. From the processing chamber the material is discharged into a second processing chamber, a cooler in the present instance, from whence it is discharged into a receiving hopper.

In the illustrated embodiment, two supply hoppers |A|B are shown, respectively discharging via measuring container ZA-ZB into a common conduit 3 which lead to the processing chamber 4. The processing chamber is shown as an electrically heated roaster, having agitating means 5 and vented as shown at 6.

A cooling chamber 1, which is the second processing chamber, communicates with the processing chamber 4 via a door 8, and discharges via a door 9 into one or the other of receiving hoppers |0A-IOB. A fan ll draws air through screenwalls of the cooling chamber, for cooling the processed material and removing chaii, etc. The fan is driven by a motor l2, and the air and chat! are withdrawn via a conduit l3, to a cyclone separator (not shown).

To prevent clogging by chair, the screen-wall l4 upon which the processed material is supported as it gravitates through the cleaning The measuring containers 2A2B supply I measured batches of material to the processing chamber and preferably measure the batches of material by weight, as will insure more uniform processing than when measurement is by volume, particularly when roasting cofiee.

As an instance, doors ifiA-itB control passage of material from the hoppers lA-lB to the respective measuring containers 2A-2B; and doors llA-i'lB control discharge from the respective measuring containers to the conduit 3 and thence to the processing chamber 4. The containers '2A-2B are depressed responsive to predetermined weight of material, and for this purpose may be integrally connected and slidably mounted in guides l8 and may be yieldingly spring-elevated as shown at l9.

By adjusting the spring mountings the weight which will depress the containers may be adjusted; and responsive to depression of the con tainers by weight of material supplied to one or the-.other of the same, the intake door ISA or I6B (which has been opened for supplying material to the measuring container 2A or 2B) is reclosed so that predetermined weight of material will have been trapped in whichever measuring container has been supplied with material. This door-control is via electrical switches 30A-30B and thence via the control hereafter described, the switches 30A30B being closed when the measuring-containers are elevated, and being engaged and opened responsive to depression of the measuring containers.

aea'naee Counterweights ZQA-EQB are provided on the respective shafts 2@A--2B; the weight of 29A being less than the opposing weight of the solenoids MA-25A so that the weight differential tends to rock the shaft 26A to ofi position; and the weight of 293 being greater than the opposing weight of solenoids 2:33-25]; so that the weight differential tends to rock the shaft 288 to ofi position.

When one or the other of the control shafts 2lA-2lB is turned to on position it turns its associated operating shaft MA or 203 to "021 position, and when the control shaft is then released it is spring-returned from on position while its associated operating shaft remains in "on position. As an instance, the control shafts 2iA--2lB are spring-connected as shown at 33; and cross-heads 3 lA-3 lB, which are fixed on the control shafts, cooperate with diametrically opposite clutch pins SSA-35B which project longitudinally from discs 36A36B, these discs being fixed on the operating shafts 20A--2IJB.

Referring to Figs. 5, 8, 11, 12 and 13, the cooperating cross-heads and clutch pins are relatively positioned so that with an operating shaft in off position (as shown atshaft 20A), turning its control shaft to on position engages its cooperating cross-head and clutch pins so as to turn the operating shaft to on position.' When an operating shaft is thus turned to "on position and its control shaft is then released (as shown at shaft 2013), the control shaft is returned by the spring 33 from its on position, so that its cross head swings clear of the cooperating clutch pins, thereby permitting the operating shaft to remain in on position, or to rock to off position independently of its control shaft. When an operating shaft, which has been thus turned to on position, is subsequently rocked to off position its cooperating crosshead and clutch pins are again relatively positioned (as shown at shaft 20A), ready for again The hoppers lA--IB are selectively employed for supplying material to the processing chamber 4 via the corresponding measuring container 2A or 2B; and when one of the supply hoppers and its corresponding measuring container has been selected, the other supply hopper and its measuring container are locked against operation.

As an instance, shafts 20A--20B are journaled in the respective hoppers IA|B, and are respectively rotatably adjusted by control shafts 2 IA 2IB which are provided with operating knobs cury switches, are mounted on the shafts 2flA 20B; the switches 26A, 21A and 28A being mounted on the shaft 20A and being open when this shaft is rocked to off position and being closed when the shaft is rocked to on position; and the switches 26B, 21B and 28B being mounted on the shaft 203 and being open when this shaft is rocked to off" position and being closed when the shaft is rocked to on position.

turning the operating shaft to on position.

When one of the operating shafts 2lJA--20B is turned to on position, the other operating shaft is locked in off position. As an instance, the discs 3GA-36B have cam notches 38A-38B, and responsive to turning either of the operating shafts to on position the cam notch of its disc engages one end of a bolt 39 so as to slide the bolt for locking its other end in the cam notch of the disc of the other operating shaft. The bolt is releasably held in one or the other of its shifted positions, so as to lock one or the other of the operating shafts in off position. This releasable engagement is shown asa dog 40 which is adapted to engage one or the other of annular grooves 39A-39B in the bolt 39, with the dog releasably projected to operative position by energizing an electrical solenoid 4|.

The processed material which is discharged via the door 9 collects in one or the other of the hoppers IDA-NIB, depending upon the position of a bafiie 43; and this baflle is rocked for discharge into hopper 1A or |0B according to which of the shafts 20A-20B has been turned to on position. As an instance, the baflie 43 is rockedby a rod 44 which is connected to a bell-crank lever 45, and this bell-crank lever is rocked to one position or the other by links 46A-46B which are respectively linked to the shafts 2IA-2IB.

The bell-crank lever has slotted connections 41A-4|B with the respective actuating links 46A-46B, whereby turning the control shaft, 2| A to on position and then releasing the same (for spring-return from its "on position), rocks the lever 45 in one direction so as to swing the baille 48 for discharge into the hopper |6A, and tuming the control shaft 2|B to on position and then releasing the same, rocks the lever 45 in the opposite direction so as to swing the baffie 43 for discharge into the hopper MB. A spring catch 46 releasably retains the lever 45 in either of its operative positions, until positively rocked to its other position.

Means are preferably provided whereby filling either one of the hoppers |6A|6B to a predetermined level, actuates mechanism which is connected to the control hereinafter described. As an instance, vanes 56A-56B are pivoted in the respective hoppers |6A|6B, and are normally rocked to position opening a tiltable electrical switch When either receiving hopper is filled to a predetermined level above its vane 56A or 563, the weight of the processed material rocks the vane downwardly and thereby tilts the switch 5| to closed position.

Means are preferably provided for actuating the control, hereinafter described, whenever the apparatus has completed a selected number of cyclic operations. As an instance, a motor 53 drives gearing which is housed in a casing 54, and this gearing drives a shaft 55 which revolves the agitating mechanism 5, and also drives a shaft 56 which is geared to a cam shaft 51. The cam shaft drives a shaft 58 through worm gearing 56, and a control shaft 66 determines the distance which the shaft 58 turn before closing a tiltable electrical switch 6|.

For this purpose, the shafts 56-66 are axially alined, and a disc 62 is fixed on the shaft 56, and a crank 63 is fixed on the shaft 66. The disc 62 has circumferentially spaced recesses 64, any one of which is adapted for engagement by a spring projected ball 65 on the crank 63. A cam 66 is fixed on the shaft 66 and is notched at 61, and switch 6| is actuated by a spring-urged pin 66, so that when the notch 61 alines with the pin the latter is spring projected for tilting the switch to closed position, and when the notch is turned to a position out of alinement with the pin, the cam 66 retracts the pin against the tension of its spring and retains the pin in retracted position, thereby tilting the switch 6| to open position until the notch 51 again alines with the pin.

At each complete revolution of the cam shafts 51, which determines one complete cycle of operation, the gearing 59 turns the shaft 56 a distance equal to that between a pair of next adjacent recesses 64, thereby correspondingly turning the shaft 66 through the driving connect on which is formed by the ball 65 having been seated in one of the recesses 64. A knob 16 is provided for turning the shaft 66, and a dial 1| cooperates with an index marking of the knob and is calibrated in "Number of roasts, with the spacing of the graduations corresponding to the spacing of the recesses 64, and with the zero or off graduation positioned so that when the index marking of the knob is alined therewith, the shaft 66 is turned to position alining the notch 61 with the pin 56.

Before starting the apparatus, the knob 16 is turned to a selected number of roasts as indicated on the dial 1|, thereby turning the shaft 66 so that the cam 66 retracts the pin 69 and opens the switch 6|. Turning the shaft 66 also turns the crank 63 relative to the disc 62, the disc being held against turning by the worm gearing 59, and the ball 55 yielding to permit relative turning of the crank and disc; and when the shaft 66 has been turned to the dial graduation indicating the selected "Number of roasts, the ball 65 seats in the corresponding recess 64. The knob 16 being then released and the apparatus started, the cam shaft 51 rotates the shafts 58--66 (which are connected at 64-65) so that for each complete revolution of the cam shaft 51 the shafts 56-66 are turned a distance equal to that between a pair of next adjacent recesses 64, and when the cam shaft has completed a number of revolutions corresponding to the setting of the knob 16, the shafts 58-66 will have been turned to position again alining the index marking of the knob 16 with the zero or "off graduation of its dial, in which position the notch 61 alines with the pin 68, thereby closing the switch 6| and actuating the control mechanism as hereinafter described.

A plurality of cams, constituting the control mechanism of the apparatus, are fixed on the cam shaft 51, and a plurality of tiltable electrical switches are pivoted alongside the cams and are actuated thereby. These switches control the motors and the various solenoids previously described, and also control solenoids 12A-12B 13A13B|4-15. The solenoids 12A12B, when energized, respectively open the doors |6A-|6B; the solenoids 13A-13B, when energized, respectively open the doors |1A|1B; the solenoid 14, when energized, opens the door 8; and the solenoid 15, when energized, closes the door 9. When their solenoids are deenergized, the doors |6A, |6B, |1A, I13 and 8 are closed, and

the door 8 is opened, preferably by spring means as indicated-at the respective solenoids.

The cams of the shaft 51, and their associated switches and the motors and solenoids controlled thereby, are as follows:

Cam Switch Circuit Motor 12 and 86 Solenoid 75.

79 87 igletnoidakd o or5 an 88 ig e qg d 81 89 {Solenoid 25B.

82 90A Solenoid 24A. 90B Solenoid24B.

83 91A Solenoid 72A. 91B Solenoid 7213.

84 {92A Solenoid 73A. 92B Solenoid73B.

The cams are positioned on the shaft 51 for relatively opening and closing their associated switches in the following order, the letters 0 and C respectively indicating open and closed position of each switch, and the time during which each switch is respectively open and closed being 1ndicated by the position of the letters with relat1on to a cycle of operation, as indicated by 0---360:

Cam Switch 0 Cycle of operation 360 84.... 62A or 92B An 'instance of the electrical wiring for the apparatus is shown at Fig. 15. Current supply is via leads 65-66. Leads 81A81B are connected to the lead 65, and respectively include the switches 21A2IB and thermostatic switches 98A98B. The leads 91A and SIBare connect-- ed to a lead 99, and this lead is connected to parallel leads Ill02, which are connected to the lead 96. The lead IOI includes a heating element I03 for the processing chamber 4, and the lead I02 includes a thermostatic switch I04 and the electro-magnet of a relay -I05.

Leads 93A93B are connected to the lead 95, and respectively include the switches 28A-28B. The leads 93A-93B are respectively connected to leads IO0AIO0B. The lead IO0A is connected to parallel leads IOB'AI0'IA--I08A which are connected to the lead 96, and the lead IO0B is connected to parallel leads I 06BI0IBI08B which are also connected to the lead 96. leads I06A--I 0513 respectively include the switches 90A-90B, with the solenoids 24A24B in series with the respective switches. The leads I0'IAI0IB respectively include the switches 9IA9IB, with the solenoids 'I2A-I2B in series with the respective switches, and with the switches 30A30B also in series with the respective switches 9IA-9IB and their associated solenoids I2A-I2B. The leads I08A-I08B respectively include the switches 92A-92B, with the solenoids 'I3AI3B in series with the respective switches.

Leads IIOA-I IOB are connected to the lead 95 and respectively include the switches 20A26B. The leads IIOA-I IOB are connected (via a lead I I and the switch of the relay I05) to a lead III; and a shunt-lead II! also connects the lead 95 with the lead II I, via the switch 88. The lead III is connected to parallel leads I I2-I I3-I I4-- II5, which are connected to the lead 96.

The lead IIZ includes the switch 89, in series with the switches 5I6I which are parallel, and with the parallel switches 5IBI in series with the solenoids 25A25B which are parallel. The lead I I3 includes the switch 81, in series with the solenoid 14. The lead II4 includes the switch 86, in series with the motor I2 and the solenoid I5 which are parallel; and the lead I I5 includes the solenoid 4| and the motor 53 which are parallel.

The operation of the apparatus is as follows:

Assuming both shafts 20A20B in o position (as shown at shaft 20A), the weight difierentials at 24A-25A as opposed to 29A, and at 293 as opposed to 25A-25B, balance the weight of material in the hoppers IA-I B exerted on the upwardly tilted vanes 23A2 3B, so that the shafts 20A-20B remain in o position. The switches 25A-2'IA--28A and the switches 26B2'IB28B are thus open, thereby breaking all circuits so that the apparatus remains at rest, with the cam shaft 51 in the position shown at Fig. 14.

To prepare for operation, the knob I0 is set so that the shaft 51 will make a selected number of complete rotations, i. e. a selected number of batches will be processed, before the notch 61 alined with the pin 69 to stop operation of the apparatus. The thermostatic switch 98A or 983 (depending upon whether material is to be supplied from hopper IA or IE) is set to maintain predetermined temperature in the processing chamber 4; and the normally closed thermostatic switch I04 is set to open when the processing chamber has been heated to its predetermined temperature. The thermostatic switches 98A-- 98BI04 are respectively controlled as shown at l20A-I20BI2I (Fig.2).

If material is to be supplied from hopper IA and collected in hopper IOA the apparatus is started by turning the knob 22A to on position,

The.

and collected in hopper IBB the apparatus is started by turning the knob 223 to on position. Operation via hoppers IBI9B will be described, the operation via lA-'IOA being the same except for substitution of the exponent A for the exponent B.

The hopper IB having been filled with an ample supply of the material which is to be proc- 203 to on position, whereupon the knob 22B is released and is spring-returned from its "on position. There being an ample supply of material in the hopper IB, the weight thereof on the now substantially horizontal vane 23B retains the shaft 203 in "on position as shown in the drawings; whereas if there has not been ample supply of material in the hopper IB, the weight differential at 293 as opposed to 243-253 would have returned the shaft 203 to "01? position and the apparatus would not operate.

, Turning the shaft 2IB to on position rocks the bell crank lever 45 by the link connection 463, and the spring catch 48 then retains the lever in this rocked position when the shaft 2| B is subsequently spring-returned from its fon position,

. the slotted connection 41B permitting this retracor if material is to be supplied from hopper IB tion of the shaft 2 IB without reversely rocking the lever 45. Rocking the lever 45 by the link connection 46B shifts the rod 44 so as to swing the battle 43 to position for discharge into the receiving hopper I 0B, and for shutting off discharge into the hopper IIIA.

Rocking the shaft 203 to on position shifts the bolt 39 so that it engages the notch 38A and locks the shaft 20A in oil position, in order that there may be no operation via hoppers IAIOA as long as the apparatus operates via hoppers IB-IOB. A

Rocking the shaft 203 to on position, with v the shaft then retained in this position by weight of ample material in the hopper IB, closes the switches 26B2IB28B, as indicated at the wir ing diagram (Fig. 15).

Closing the switch 21B energizes the heating element I03 via 21B98B-99IOI; closing the switch 263 prepares for energizing the circuit II6I I I-I I5 when the switch of the relay I05 is closed; and closing the switch 28B prepares for closing the circuits I06BI 0IBI 083 when their switches B9 IB92B are closed.

Energizing the heating element I03 heats the processing chamber 4 to perdetermined temperature as controlled by thermostatic switch 983. The electro-magnet 0f the relay I05 is also ener' gized via the normally closed thermostatic switch I04, thereby opening the switch of the relay until the processing chamber 4 has been preheated to the predetermined o rating temperature, whereupon the thermostatic switch I04 opens, thereby deenergizing the electro-magnet of the relay I05 so that its switch closes-and remains closed as long as the processing chamber remains heated to operating temperature.

Closing the switch of the relay I05 energizes the solenoid 4| and the motor 53 via the circuit II6IIIII5. The energized solenoid 4| thus locks the dog 40 in the groove 393 so as to retain the bolt 39 in position locking the shaft 20A in off position; and the energized motor 53 operates the agitating means I and starts rotation of the cam shaft 51. Closing th switch of the relay III also energizes the motor l2 and the solenoid 18 via the circuit ll6-l I l-88-l l4, thereby starting the cooling fan II and closing the gate 8, but this performs no function at this stage since as yet there is no processed material in the cooler 1.

Rotation of the cam shaft 81 causes the following cyclic operation:

The cam shaft first closes the switch 88 and retains it closed to the end of the cycle. This closed switch connects the leads ll1-l l i, so that circuits may be completed via ll2-Il8-ll4- Ill, even if the switch 283 or the switch of the relay I85 should open. The circuit H5 thus remains closed for energizing the motor 53 and continuing rotation of the cam shaft 51. The cam shaft then closes the switch 89, but this performs no function at this stage since switches Sl-il are open.

The cam shaft then closes the switch 8l3, thereby energizing the solenoid 123 via the circuit I813 (the switch 383 being normally closed). The door I83 is thus opened and material is supplied to the measuring container 23, thereby depressing the measuring container and opening the switch 883 when the measuring container has received predetermined weight of material. Opening the switch 383 breaks the circuit for the solenoid 123, so that the door I83 recloses, thereby trapping a measured weight of material in the container 23.

The cam shaft then successively reopens the switches 89 and SIB, and then closes the switch 983 and retains it closed to the end of the cycle. The closed switch 903 energizes the solenoid 243 via the circuit 1863, thereby holding the shaft 283 in on position and thus maintaining the switches 263-213-283 closed to the end of the cycle.

The cam shaft then closes and then reopens the switch 923. The solenoid 13B is thus energized via the circuit [883 and is then deenergized, thereby opening and then reclosing the door I13; and while the door is open the measured weight of material in the container 23 is discharged into the processing chamber 4.

The material is then processed in the chamber 4, and near the end of its cycle of rotation the cam shaft opens and then recloses the switch 88. This deenergizes and then again energizes the motor I2 and the solenoid 15 via the circuit H4. The fan H is thus stopped and then restarted, and the door 9 is opened and then recloses, but this performs no function at this stage since as yet there is no material for discharge from the cooling chamber 1.

The cam shaft then closes and then reopens the switch 81. The solenoid 14 is thus energized via the circuit H3 and is then deenergized, thereby opening and then reclosing the door 8; and while the door is open the material which has been processed in the chamber 4 is discharged into the cooling chamber 1.

This completes a cycle of rotation, at which time the cam shaft opens the switches 88 and 883. Opening the switch 88 breaks the connection between the leads 1-! l I, and opening the switch 883 breaks the holding circuit I883. However, the switches 283-213-283 remain closed, due to ample weight of material exerted on the vane 283 for retaining the shaft 203 in "on" position.

A second cycle of operation thus starts, since the closed switch of the relay ill energizes the motor 88 via the circuit llt-lll-l l8; and this second cycle of operation continues to completion as above described. During this second cycle the material which has been processed in the chamber 4 and discharged into the cooler 1 during the first cycle, is cooled by the fan I I, and just before the end of the second cycle is discharged into the hopper I83 when the door I is opened. The cooler having thus been cleared of material from the first cycle of operation, the material which has been processed in the chamber 4 during the second cycle of operation is discharged into the cooler when the door 8 is opened at the end of this second cycle.

Cycles of operation thus follow one another, with the material which is discharged from the chamber 4 into the cooler 1 at the end of each cycle, cooled in the chamber 1 during the next succeeding cycle and then discharged into the receiving hopper I83 just before the end of the cycle.

This cyclic operation continues until (1) the material in the hopper I3 is so depleted that it is insufllcient to supply a full batch of material to the measuring container 23, or (2) the receiving hopper I83 is filled to a level above the vane 583, or (3) the apparatus completes that number of cyclic operations for which the knob 18 has been set. Any one of these happenings stops supply of material to the processing chamber 4, but continues operation of the apparatus until the cooler 1 has been cleared of the last batch of material which has been discharged from the processing chamber.

This will be readily understood by noting that depletion of material in the hopper I3 will occur while material is being supplied to the measuring container 23, at which time the switch 883 is opened and the solenoid 24B is deenergized; filling the hopper [83 to a level above the vane 583 will occur while material is discharging from the cooler 1, at which time the switch 89 is open; and alinement of the notch 81 with the pin 88 will occur at completion of the number of cycles of operation for which the knob 18 has been set, at which time the switch 89 is open.

Upon depletion of material in the hopper l3, with the holding solenoid 243 deenergized, the weight differential (between the counterweight 28B and the solenoids 243-253) overbalances the reduced weight of material on the vane 283 so as to rock the shaft 283 to off" position, thereby opening the switches 283-213-283. Upon filling the hopper I03 to a level above the vane 583, the weight of the material rocks the vane so as to close the switch 5|; and upon completion of the number of cycles for which the knob 18 has been set so that the notch 81 alines with the pin 69, this pin is spring-projected for closing the switch 8|.

Closing either the switch 5! or 8| produces no immediate effect since switch 88 is open. Rotation of the cam shaft 51 thu continues and the next cycle of operation starts. Just after the start of this new cycle the cam shaft closes the switch 89. The solenoid 253 is thus energized via the circuit H2, which is closed at either the switch 5| or 6|; and at this time the switch 883 is open so that the holding solenoid 24B is deanergized. The energized solenoid 253 thus rocks the shaft 283 to off" position, thereby opening the switches 283-213-283.

Opening the switches 263-213-283 as above described, i. e. by depletion of material in the hopper-IB, or by filling the hopper IOB, or by completing the number of cycles of operation for which the knob H1 has been set, occurs before the switch 92B closes to energize the solenoid 13B, i. e. at a time when the batch of processed material of the preceding cycle has been discharged into the cooler I, but beforev the batch of material of the current cycle has been discharged into the processing chamber 4. Opening the switch 21B deenergizes ,the heating element I03; opening the switch 283 breaks the circuits l06B|0|B-IDBB; and opening the switch 26B breaks the circuit I I6l l l-l l5, even though the switch of the relay I05 remains closed. However, the switch 88 is closed when the switches 26B21B--28B are opened. Therefore the leads lI|-I H are connected. The motor 53 thus remains energized via the circuit ll|-88-- ||ll I5, thereby continuing rotation of the cam shaft 51.

This continued rotation of the cam shaft maintains the switch 88 closed, thereby continuing rotation of the cam shaft to the end of the cycle. As above described, if the switches 26B21B-28B have been opened responsive to depletion of material in the hopper IB, the switch SIB will have closed and energized the solenoid 12B and thereby opened the door IBB before the switches 26B21B-28B open, so that a partial batch of material is in the container 2B.

If theswitches 26B21B28B have been opened responsive to filling the hopper NIB or completing the number of cycles for which the knob has been set, rotation of the cam shaft 51 closes the switch 91B after the switches 26B-ZTB-28B have opened, and consequently the solenoid 1213' is not energized (the switch 283 being open), and the door IBB does not open for supplying material to the container 2B.

Regardless of which happening has opened the switches 263-213-2813, continued rotation of the cam shaft 51 then closes the switch 90B, but the circuit [06B is broken at the open switch 283 and therefore the solenoid 24B is not energized. Consequently the shaft 203 is not rocked to on position, and the switches 26B--21B28B are not reclosed.

Continued rotation of the cam shaft then closes and then reopens the switch 92B, but the circuit I08B is broken at the open switch 23B and therefore the solenoid 13B is not energized. Consequently the door HE is not opened and no material is supplied to the processing chamber 4.

In the meantime, the closed switch 88 has maintained the motor I2 and the solenoid energized, so that the processed material of the preceding batch is cooled in the chamber 7; and as the cam shaft approaches the end of its cycle of rotation it opens (and then recloses) the switch '86, thereby deenergizing the solenoid l5 and opening the door 9 so that the cooled material is discharged into the hopper IOB. Completion of the cycle of rotation of the cam shaft then closes the switch 81. The solenoid 14 is thus energized via lI'l88Ill-ll3, thereby opening the door 8, but this performs no function since there is now no batch of processed material in the chamber 4.

The end of the cycle of rotation of the cam shaft then opens the switches 8890B81. The circuits H4 and I I5 are thus opened, thereby deenergizing the motors l2 and 53 and stopping all operation, with all processed material collected in the hopper [0B, and with the parts again in the position first described, ready for again operating the apparatus.

The processed material which has been collected in the hoppers IDA-4 DB may be withdrawn via sliding receptacles I4UAI4DB, which are positioned below the discharge spouts of the respective hoppers. Sliding bafiles l4 lA-JMB are normally spring-retracted to close these discharge spouts, and may be manually actuated for opening the respective spouts. Latches I42Al42B cooperate with the respective bafiles; and when the receptacles l40A-l40B are in place to receive material from the hoppers, they extract the latches so that the baffles may be opened, but when either receptacle is withdrawn it releases its associated latch so that it gravitates to position locking the associated baflle against opening. Consequently, the baflles cannot be opened, unless the receptacles are in place to receive the material.

I claim:

1. In combination: a processing chamber hav ing an intake and a discharge; a timer movable through successive cycles; means for moving the timer; operating means controlled by the timer for successively opening the intake and the discharge during each of said cycles; a control movable to operative position; means for stopping movement of the timer responsive to movement of the control to operative position; a driving connection connected.to the timer for movin moving the control toward operative position proportionally to movement of the timer; and means for preadjusting the driving connection so that the control is moved to operative position by the timer at completion of movement of the latter through a selected number of cycles.

2. In combination: a supply hopper; a processing chamber having an intake from the supply hopper; a discharge from the processing chamber; a timer movable through successive cycles; means for moving the timer; operating means controlled by the timer for successively opening the intake and the discharge during each of said cycles; a control movable to operative position; means for stopping movement of the timer responsive to movement of the control to operative position; a driving connection connected to the timer for moving the control toward operative position proportionally to movement of the timer; means for preadjusting the driving connection so that the control is moved to operative position by the timer at completion of movement of the latter through a selected number of cycles; and means controlled by predetermined depletion of material in the supply hopper for stopping movement of the timer short of said selected number of cycles.

3. In combination: a processing chamber having an intake; a receiving hopper; a discharge from the processing chamber to the receiving hopper; a timer movable through successive cycles; means for moving the timer; operating means controlled by the timer for successively opening the intake and the discharge during each of said cycles; a control movable to operative position; means for stopping movement of the timer responsive to movement of the control to operative position; a driving connection con- 2,827,282 number of cycles; and means controlled by predetermined accumulation of material in the receiving hopper for stopping movement of the timer short of said selected number of cycles.

4. In combination: a measuring container having an intake and a discharge; a valve controlling the intake; a valve controlling the discharge; a processing chamber communicating with the discharge; a timer movable through successive cycles; means for moving the timer; operating means controlled by the timer for opening the intake valve and then opening and closing the discharge valve during each of said cycles; and means controlled by the timer and actuated by predetermined weight of material in the measuring container for closing the intake valve during each of said cycles at a time prior to the operating means opening the discharge valve.

5. In combination: supply hoppers; a processmeans for adjusting the operating means so as to select any one of the intake valves for operation; the operating means being controlled by the timer for successively opening the selected intake valve and the discharge valve during each of said cycles.

6. In combination: supply hoppers; a processing chamber having an intake from each supply hopper; a valve controlling each intake; a discharge from the processing chamber; a valve controlling the discharge; a timer movable through successive cycles; driving means for the timer; means for operating the valves; means for adjusting the operating means so as to select any one of the intake valves for operation; the operating means being controlled by the timer for successively opening the selected intake valve and the discharge valve during each of said cycles; and means controlled by the timer whereby except at completion of movement of the latter through each of said cycles the adjusting means is locked against selecting a difierent intake valve for operation.

7. In combination: supply hoppers; a processing chamber having an intake from each supply hopper; a valve controlling each intake; a discharge from the processing chamber; a valve controlling the discharge; a timer movable through successive cycles; driving means for the timer; means for operating the valves; means for adjusting the operating means so as to select any one of the intake valves for operation; the operating means being controlled by the timer for successively opening the selected intake valve and the discharge valve during each of said cycles; means controlled by the timer whereby except at completion ofmovement of the latter through each of said cycles the adjusting means is locked against selecting a difierent intake valve for operation; and means controlled by the timer whereby except at completion of movement of the latter through each of said cycles operation of the driving means is maintained.

8. In combination: supply hoppers; a processing chamber having an intake from each supply hopper; a valve controlling each intake; a discharge from the processing chamber; a valve controlling the discharge; a timer movable through successive cycles; driving means for the timer; means for operating the valves; means for adjusting the operating means so as to select any one of the intake valves for operation; the operating means being controlled by the timer for successively opening the selected intake valve and the discharge valve during each of said cycles; receiving hoppers associated with the respective intake valves; and means controlled by the adjusting means for connecting the discharge with the receiving hopper which is associated with the selected intake valve.

LLOYD A. MCCOMB. 

